Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses such as cancer and heart failure. The care is meant to relieve patients from the symptoms and stress of the disease. The goal is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family.
Patients in palliative care may receive medical care for their symptoms. Palliative care and treatment is not intended to cure their serious illness. Palliative care is meant to enhance a person’s current care by focusing on the quality of life and their family.
Who Makes Up the Palliative Care Team?
A palliative care team comprises different professionals who work in hand with the patient, the patient’s family, and the patient’s other doctors to ensure medical, social, emotional, and practical support are well taken care of. The needs and level of care also determine what the team will comprise. Other specialists in the team include palliative care specialist doctors and nurses, including others such as social workers, nutritionists, and chaplains. A person’s health care provider may refer them to a palliative care specialist to begin their palliative care. If they don’t suggest it, the person can ask a health care provider for a referral.
Where Is Palliative Care Provided?
Palliative care can be conducted anywhere at any time. Whether you are in hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient palliative care clinics, specific other specialized clinics, or home, you can still receive palliative care. Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance policies may cover palliative care. Veterans may be eligible for palliative care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Private health insurance might pay for some services. Health insurance providers can answer questions about what they will cover.
Why Seek Palliative Care?
- Improves Quality of Life. Palliative care ensures the quality of life. Patients suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Alzheimer’s, kidney disease, Parkinson’s, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and many more or symptoms of stress are all taken care of.
- Helps You Match Treatment Options to Your Goals. The palliative care team ensures you spend the time it takes to help you match your treatment choices to your goals. They will also ensure that all of your doctors know and understand what you want. This gives you more control over your care and will improve your quality of life.
What Symptoms May Be Improved After Palliative Care?
The most common symptoms that may improve by palliative care include:
- Pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Depression or sadness
- Constipation
- Difficulty breathing
- Anorexia
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
A Compassionate and Caring Team
Palliative care is based on the patient’s needs, not on the patient’s prognosis. It is appropriate at any age and any stage in a severe illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment. Are you in Dallas, Richardson, Carrolton, Garland, and surrounding TX communities? The professionals at Ameriprime Hospice can answer any questions you may have about Palliative care. Don’t hesitate to contact us at (972) 787-0949 or on the contact form on our website.
